Drill bit adapter tool

ABSTRACT

An adapter tool with a drill bit is provided that selectively connects to a driver to provide added versatility to the driver. The adapter tool includes a spring with an engagement end that extends through a body to selectively engage a recess in the driver. A user can actuate the spring to quickly engage and disengage the adapter from the driver. In practice, a user can use the adapter-driver combination to drill a pilot hole using the drill bit on the adapter, selectively remove the adapter from the driver, and then put a screw into the pilot hole using the driver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/946,513, filed on Apr. 5, 2018, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/482,088,filed on Apr. 5, 2017, both of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to hand tools and morespecifically to devices for mounting a drill bit on a hand tool thatrotates or drives the drill bit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many trades and other work situations, an operator must repeatedlyexchange drill bits or replace drill bits with other tools, such as adriver or screw driver tip, while performing successive, repetitiveoperations using an electric drill. For example, construction workers orcarpenters regularly change drill bits during numerous types ofconstruction projects, often times when the worker is in a positionwhere it is difficult to change the drill bit, such as on a ladder. Tochange a drill bit, the carpenter must loosen the chuck, remove the oldbit from the chuck, insert the new bit and tighten the chuck. Drill bitchanges typically require both hands, which can interrupt thecarpenter's work, resulting in inconvenience and thereby increased costsdue to the inefficient use of time required by the changing of drillbits. Tool changes are especially a problem when the carpenter istemporarily holding an object in place with one hand while attempting toswitch drill bits with the other hand. An expensive alternative is touse multiple drills having different drill bits or tools attached toeach.

Several devices have been developed to attempt to simplify the processfor exchanging drill bits or replacing drill bits with other tools, suchas a driver or screw driver tip. In one device, for example, themultiple prongs of an adaptor are inserted into the cavities in thedrill chuck. Although the device does provide a simpler method forexchanging tools, the prongs can be difficult to align with thecavities. Through wear, the ability of the prongs to grip the chuck candecrease over time. As a result, the adaptor can wobble on the chuckduring use and get stuck in the drilled hole during removal.

Another device for exchanging tools includes an adaptor having a drillbit at one end and a driver at the other end. A holder receives aselected one of each of these two ends. During the drilling operation,the drill bit is exposed and the driver is within the holder. Afterdrilling and when it is desired to then utilize the driver, this adaptoris grasped and removed from the holder. The drill bit end is theninserted into the holder. However, such an adaptor is subject to heatbuild-up during such usage. This heat can cause discomfort or burn theoperator's fingers upon reversing the ends of the adaptor. Additionally,such heat build-up can cause the adaptor to expand and become jammed inthe holder. This is especially a problem when sawdust and other debriscollects in the holder from the drill bit when it is placed in theholder. Furthermore, when the drill bit breaks off from the adaptor,unwanted complications occur in replacing the broken drill bit with anew drill bit.

Other prior art devices for exchanging tools include drill bits thathave similar or the same drawbacks, particularly when performingback-and-forth drill and drive operations. That is, operations thatinvolve alternating and repeated uses of the drill bit and the driver.For example, alternating the drilling of a hole using a drill bit andperforming a fastening or other operation using a driver.

Further still, prior art devices for exchanging tools are primarilydesigned for wood working functions, meaning the drill bit bores out ahole in a portion of wood, and the driver drives a screw or bolt intothe same hole. Prior art devices are not designed for impact drills,which also rotate drill bits and drivers, but add concussive action,which allows impact drills to operate with dense wood, cement, etc.Impact drills can have a standard three jaw drill chuck or, morecommonly, a ball detent style chuck to hold ¼″ hexagonal tools builtwith the necessary detent groove. As a result, impact drills oftenoverpower and destroy prior art exchanging tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above needs and other needs are addressed by the various embodimentsand configurations of the present invention. It is an objective of thepresent invention to provide an adaptor tool that can be convenientlyand rapidly engaged with a driver to facilitate back-and-forth drill anddrive operations. Related objectives include providing a low cost, lesscomplex adaptor tool, an adaptor tool that will not dislodge from thedriver or become jammed in the driver during use, and an adaptor toolthat will not become difficult to handle due to heat buildup during use.

It is an aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide anadapter tool that comprises a spring with an engagement end thatselectively engages and disengages from a recess of a driver. The bodyof the adapter may comprise a slot that extends through the body andinto the interior volume that receives the driver, and the engagementend is positioned in the slot. In an engaged state, the engagement endof the spring at least partially extends into the interior volume in theadapter and into a recess in the driver to secure the adapter to thedriver. In a disengaged state, the engagement end of the spring movesaway from the recess in the driver, which allows for the release of thedriver. This aspect provides a strong selective connection between theadapter tool and the driver that is rated for impact drills but alsoprovides an easy release of the driver.

It is a further aspect of embodiments of the present invention toprovide a retractable cap on the adapter tool that actuates the springand the engagement end of the spring between the engaged state and thedisengaged state. The retractable cap is movable along a longitudinallength of the adapter tool between a first position and a secondposition. When the retractable cap moves into the second position, theretractable cap compresses the spring such that the engagement end ofthe spring retracts from the recess of the driver and the interiorvolume of the adapter that houses the driver, which allows for therelease of the driver. When a user releases the retractable cap, thespring forces the retractable cap back into the first position, and theengagement end of the spring extends back into the recess of the driverand the interior volume of the adapter that receives the driver.

It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to providea holster that can secure adapter tools and selectively release a driverfrom an adapter tool. The holster can comprise receivers and/orretainers to secure an adapter tool to the holster. In addition, theholster may comprise a cap bar configured to deflect a retractable capon the adapter tool. Therefore, a user can have an adapter engaged to adriver, and then selectively connect the adapter to the holster. Next,the user can pull upward on the driver such that the adapter moveslongitudinally toward the cap bar. The cap bar is configured to deflectthe retractable cap, which causes the engagement end of the spring torelease the driver. Thus, the user continues to pull upward on thedriver to release the driver from the adapter, and the adapter remainsselectively connected to the holster.

Furthermore, the holster can allow for the selective connection betweenan adapter tool and a driver. To begin, the adapter tool is positionedin the receiver and retainer of the holster. A user can push the driverinto an interior volume of the adapter tool, and a distal end of thedriver pushes a spring away from a longitudinal axis of the body. Thedriver continues to push into the interior volume until a recess of thedriver allows the spring to extend back toward the longitudinal axis andselectively connect the adapter tool and the driver. Next, a user canrotate the combined driver and adapter tool out of the retainer and thenpull the combined driver and adapter tool out of the receiver tocomplete the process and use a tool such as a drill bit on the end ofthe adapter tool.

One particular embodiment of the present invention is an adapter toolfor selectively engaging and releasing a second tool, comprising a bodyhaving a first end, an opposing second end, a longitudinal axis, and aninner surface that defines an interior volume configured to receive asecond tool; a slot that extends from a first point at an outer surfaceof the body to a second point at the inner surface, wherein a distancefrom the first point to the first end is larger than a distance from thesecond point to the first end; a spring positioned about the outersurface of the body, the spring having an engagement end configured tobe positioned at least partially within the slot; and a retractable cappositioned about the outer surface proximate to the first end of thebody and translatable along the longitudinal axis of the body between afirst position and a second position, wherein, in the first position,the engagement end of the spring extends at least partially into theinterior volume to engage the second tool, and wherein, in the secondposition, the retractable cap deflects the engagement end of the springin the slot to move the engagement end away from the interior volume andto disengage the second tool.

In some embodiments, at least half of a cross-sectional area of theengagement end of the spring is configured to be positioned in a recessvolume of the second tool when the retractable cap is in the firstposition. In various embodiments, at least a portion of thecross-sectional area of the engagement end of the spring is configuredto be positioned outside of the recess volume of the second tool whenthe retractable cap is in the first position. In some embodiments, inthe second position, the retractable cap deflects the engagement end ofthe spring into a portion of the second tool that defines the recessvolume to move the engagement end away from the interior volume and todisengage the second tool.

In various embodiments, the retractable cap has an inner surface thatdefines an inner cavity, and the spring is at least partially positionedin the inner cavity such that the engagement end of the spring contactsa portion of the inner surface of the retractable cap. In someembodiments, the adapter tool further comprises a bushing positionedabout the outer surface of the body, wherein the inner surface of theretractable cap is at least partially positioned about an outer surfaceof the bushing. In various embodiments, the slot forms an angle with thelongitudinal axis to translate longitudinal movement of the retractablecap to lateral movement of the engagement end of the spring, and theangle is between approximately 25 and 35 degrees.

Another particular embodiment of the present invention is a combineddrill and driver system, comprising an adapter tool having: a bodyhaving a longitudinal axis and an aperture forming an angle with respectto the longitudinal axis, wherein the angled aperture extends from anouter surface to an inner surface of the body, and the inner surfacedefines a partially enclosed volume; a retractable cap disposed aroundthe outer surface of the body and having an inner surface defining aninner cavity; a spring disposed around the outer surface of the body andat least partially positioned in the inner cavity, the spring having anengagement end at least partially positioned in the angled aperture ofthe body; a second tool removably interconnected and positioned in thepartially enclosed volume, a second tool including a recess on a forwardend, wherein the retractable cap is configured to move the engagementend of the spring into the recess of the second tool to retain thesecond tool to the adapter tool until the retractable cap is moveddownward and away from the second tool to release the second tool fromthe adapter tool.

In various embodiments, the angle of the aperture is betweenapproximately 25 and 35 degrees. In some embodiments, the recess of thesecond tool has a radiused cross-sectional shape. In variousembodiments, the retractable cap has a first inner diameter and a secondinner diameter, wherein the first inner diameter is substantially thesame as an outer diameter of a bushing of the adapter tool and thesecond inner diameter is smaller than the first inner diameter to limitlongitudinal travel of the retractable cap relative to the bushing. Insome embodiments, in the first distance from the longitudinal axis, atleast half a cross-sectional area of the engagement end of the spring ispositioned within the recess volume of the second tool. In variousembodiments, in the first distance from the longitudinal axis, at leasta portion of the cross-sectional area of the engagement end of thespring is positioned outside of the recess volume of the second tool.

Yet another particular embodiment of the present invention is a holsteradapted for selectively holding and releasing a tool, comprising asubstantially planar body having an upper end, a lower end, and twosidewalls extending therebetween, the body having a front surface and arear surface; a cap bar positioned proximate to the upper end andextending outwardly from the front surface of the body, the cap barhaving an engagement surface; a pocket positioned below the cap bar, thepocket having a receiver adapted to receive a lower end of a tool; and aU-shaped retainer positioned between the cap bar and the receiver of thepocket, the U-shaped retainer adapted to secure a mid-portion of thetool, wherein the pocket and the U-shaped retainer are configured toremovably secure an upper portion of the tool proximate to theengagement surface of the cap bar.

In some embodiments, the cap bar has at least one recess that has aninner diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the recess is larger thanan outer diameter of a body of the tool and smaller than an outerdiameter of a retractable cap of the tool. In various embodiments, theholster further comprises at least one arm extending from the rearsurface and substantially parallel to the body, wherein the at least onearm is configured to selectively interconnect to a belt. In someembodiments, the pocket is configured to receive a drill bit of thetool.

In various embodiments, the U-shaped retainer has two arms that definean inner diameter that is substantially the same as an outer diameter ofa body of a tool. In some embodiments, a distance between two ends ofthe arms is less than an outer diameter of the body of the tool suchthat the body is configured to deflect at least one of the arms to bepositioned in the inner diameter defined by the two arms. In variousembodiments, the holster further comprises a second pocket and a secondU-shaped retainer, wherein a distance between the second pocket and thesecond U-shaped retainer is larger than a distance between the pocketand the U-shaped retainer.

The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it beconstrued as being representative of the full extent and scope of thepresent invention. The present invention is set forth in various levelsof detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attacheddrawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitationas to the scope of the present invention is intended by either theinclusion or non-inclusion of elements or components. Additional aspectsof the present invention will become more readily apparent from theDetailed Description, particularly when taken together with thedrawings.

The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations areneither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, otherembodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or incombination, one or more of the features set forth above or described indetail below.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein,are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive inoperation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B,and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “oneor more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B,and C together.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities,dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.”

The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more ofthat entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “atleast one” can be used interchangeably herein.

The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereofherein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,”“comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be usedinterchangeably herein.

It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C.§ 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shallcover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all ofthe equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts andthe equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summaryof the invention, brief description of the drawings, detaileddescription, abstract, and claims themselves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the Summary of the Invention given above and the DetailedDescription of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principlesof these embodiments. In certain instances, details that are notnecessary for an understanding of the invention or that render otherdetails difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should beunderstood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited tothe particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it shouldbe understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A is a side view of an adapter tool in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an exploded, side view of the adapter tool in FIG. 1 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spring in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view of an adapter tool with aretractable cap in a retracted position in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the adapter tool in FIG. 3with a retractable cap in an unretracted position in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter tool in FIG. 4 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of an adapter tool with aspring in a relaxed state in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the adapter tool in FIG. 6Awith the spring in a locked state in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6C is a partial cross-sectional view of the adapter tool in FIG. 6Awith the spring in a released state in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tool holster and adapter tool systemin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Similar components and/or features may have the same reference label.Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished byfollowing the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among thesimilar components. If only the first reference label is used, thedescription is applicable to any one of the similar components havingthe same first reference label irrespective of the second referencelabel.

A list of the various components shown in the drawings and associatednumbering is provided herein:

Number Component 10 Adapter Tool 12 Driver 14 Drill Bit 16 Body 18 Screw20 Ring 22 Retractable Cap 24 Bushing 26 Spring 28 Slot 30 EngagementEnd 32 First Segment 34 Second Segment 36 Third Segment 38 Recess 40Inner Surface 42 Inner Cavity 44 Slot Angle 46 Longitudinal Axis 48Inner Surface 50 Interior Volume 52 Holster 54 Cap Outer Diameter 56 CapInner Diameter/Body Outer Diameter 58 Receiver 60 Retainer 62 Arms 64Cap Bar 66 Recess 68 Recess Inner Diameter

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrumof endeavors. It is the Applicant's intent that this specification andthe claims appended hereto be accorded a breadth in keeping with thescope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what mightappear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referringto the specific examples disclosed. To acquaint persons skilled in thepertinent arts most closely related to the present invention, apreferred embodiment that illustrates the best mode now contemplated forputting the invention into practice is described herein by, and withreference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of thespecification. The exemplary embodiment is described in detail withoutattempting to describe all of the various forms and modifications inwhich the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodimentsdescribed herein are illustrative, and as will become apparent to thoseskilled in the arts, may be modified in numerous ways within the scopeand spirit of the invention.

Although the following text sets forth a detailed description ofnumerous different embodiments, it should be understood that thedetailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does notdescribe every possible embodiment since describing every possibleembodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternativeembodiments could be implemented, using either current technology ortechnology developed after the filing date of this patent, which wouldstill fall within the scope of the claims. To the extent that any termrecited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in thispatent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done forsake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is notintended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise,to that single meaning.

Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein and asdepicted in the drawings. It is expressly understood that although thefigures depict adapter tools, and methods and systems for using thesame, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an assembled perspective view and anexploded perspective view of an adapter tool 10 selectively connected toa driver 12 are provided, respectively. The adapter tool 10 has a firstend configured to selectively receive a drill bit 14, and the adaptertool 10 has a second end configured to selectively receive the driver12. Thus, for example, a user can operate the drill bit 14, selectivelyremove the drill bit 14 and adapter tool 10 from the driver 12, and thenoperate the driver 12. It will be appreciated that a drill bit can comein several different sizes including, but not limited to, 7/64″, ⅛″, and9/64″. It will be further appreciated that the adapter tool 10 can haveadditional features such as a countersink bit, a flat edge to preventthe unintended rotation of the adapter tool 10, etc.

Further referring to FIG. 1B, an exploded view of an adapter tool 10 andrelated components is provided. The base of the drill bit 14 extendsinto the body 16 of the adapter tool 10, and a pair of screws 18 securethe drill bit 14 in the body 16. It will be appreciated that other formsof selective connection can be utilized to secure the drill bit 14 tothe body 16 including, but not limited to, a chuck system, a lug system,etc. It will be further appreciated that not only drill bits can bemounted on the end of the adapter tool 10, for example, other tools suchas screw heads can also be mounted to the adapter tool 10.

Next, two rings 20 are positioned on the body 16 of the adapter tool 10to limit the components of the adapter tool 10 that selectively connectto the driver 12. In the depicted embodiment, a retractable cap 22, abushing 24, and a spring 26 selectively connect the adapter tool 10 tothe driver 12. The bushing 24 abuts the distal ring 20, and one end ofthe spring 26 engages the inner surface of the bushing 24. Theretractable cap 22 engages the other end of the spring 26 and at leastpartially encloses the spring 26 and bushing 24, and then the proximalring 20 secures the retractable cap 22. Thus, the distal ring 20 limitsdistal movement of the bushing 24, and the proximal ring 20 limitsproximal movement of the retractable cap 22. As described in furtherdetail below, a portion of the spring 26 extends into a slot 28 in thebody 16 of the adapter tool 10 to selectively engage the driver 12.Generally, a user can move the retractable cap 22 longitudinally alongthe body 16 between the rings 20 from a first position to a secondposition, which causes the spring 26 to selectively engage and disengagethe driver 12.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a detailed, perspective view of the spring 26is provided. The end that contacts the bushing is coiled, and theopposing engagement end 30 that contacts the retractable cap and extendsinto the slot of the body of the adapter tool has several segments. Afirst segment 32 reorients the spring 26 from the coiled helicalpattern. Next, a segment 34 extends laterally across the spring 26, andthis segment 34 extends into the slot of the body of the adapter tooland engages the driver. Finally, a third segment 36 extendsperpendicular from the second segment 34, and the third segment 36contacts an outer surface of the body of the adapter tool to maintainthe position and orientation of the spring 26. These segments aredepicted as straight segments joined at predetermined angles. Forexample, the first segment 32 may be joined to the second segment 34 atan angle between approximately 90 and 86 degrees, or approximately 87.5degrees. This configuration places the second segment 34 in pretensionrelative to the first segment 32 and the coiled portion of the spring 26such that the second segment 34 sits evenly in a slot in the adaptertool. However, it will be appreciated that these segments may be curvedin some embodiments. It will be further appreciated that not everyembodiment of the invention may have three segments and that someembodiments may have more or fewer segments. For example, in someembodiments only one segment may deviate from the helical pattern toextend across the slot of the body of the adapter tool.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a partial cross-sectional view of an assembledadapter tool is provided. A driver 12 with a recess 38 is positionedoutside of an interior volume defined by an inner surface of the body16. A spring 26 is disposed about an outer surface of the body 16 anddisposed in a cavity 42 defined by an inner surface 40 of theretractable cap 22. The retractable cap 22 of the adapter tool is in aretracted position relative to the bushing 24 such that an inner surface40 of the retractable cap 22 drives the engagement end 30 of the spring26 in the slot 28. The slot 28 has a slot angle 44 relative to alongitudinal axis 46 of the body 16. Therefore, as the retractable cap22 moves toward the bushing 24, the engagement end 30 of the spring 26moves outward from the longitudinal axis 46. As a result, the engagementend 30 is moved partially or completely out of the interior volume toallow the driver 12 to enter the interior volume. Alternatively, adistal end of the driver 12 can push the spring 26 against the slot 28and away from the longitudinal axis 46.

The slot 28 begins at a first point on an outer surface of the body 16and extends to a second point on an inner surface of the body 16. Thedistance between the first point and the end of the body 16 thatreceives the driver 12 is larger than the distance between the secondpoint and the end of the body 16 that receives the driver 12. Thus, theslot 28 forms an angle with the longitudinal axis 46 of the body 16. Itwill be appreciated that in some embodiments the slot angle 40 isbetween approximately 20 and 40 degrees. In some embodiments, the slotangle 40 is between approximately 25 and 35 degrees. In variousembodiments, the slot angle 40 is approximately 30 degrees. In addition,since the spring 26 is compressed when the retractable cap 22 isretracted, the spring biases the retractable cap 22 toward anunretracted position.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a partial cross-sectional view of an assembledadapter tool is provided. Now the driver 12 is positioned within theinterior volume defined by an inner surface of the body 16. Theretractable cap 22 is in an unretracted position relative to the bushing24. Thus, the engagement end 30 of the spring 26 is allowed touncompress and extend further into the slot 28. The spring 26 extendscloser to the longitudinal axis of the body 16 due to the slot angle 40.As a result, the engagement end 30 of the spring 26 extends into theinterior volume of the body 16 and into the recess 38 of the driver 12.In some embodiments, the engagement end 30 extends only partially intothe interior volume. In other embodiments, a portion of the engagementend 30 extends completely into the interior volume.

To disengage the adapter tool from the driver 12, a user can move theretractable cap 22 along the body of the adapter tool in a longitudinaldirection toward the bushing 24 This motion compresses the spring 26 andcauses the engagement end 30 of the spring 26 to move so that theengagement end 30 of the spring 26 no longer engages the recess 38 ofthe driver 12. Then, the user can remove the adapter tool and use thedriver 12.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of the adapter tool inFIG. 4 is provided. An interior volume 50 of the body is defined by aninner surface 48 of the body. As shown, the engagement end 30 of thespring 26 extends through the slot 28 in the body 16 of the adapter toolto hold the driver 12 in place. Specifically, the driver 12 has a recess38 that the engagement end 30 of the spring 26 extends into to preventlongitudinal movement between the adapter tool and the driver 12. Toprevent rotational movement and to transmit power between the adaptertool and the driver 12, in this embodiment, the interior volume 50 inthe body has a hexagonal shape that is configured to receive a hexagonalshape of the driver 12. It will be appreciated that in otherembodiments, other polygonal shapes can be used or, for example, aprotrusion/recess combination can be used to prevent rotational movementbetween the adapter tool and the driver 12.

Now referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, partial cross-sectional views of the slot28 and engagement end 30 are provided. These figures show the spatialrelationship among various components of the adapter tool 10 and driver12 to provide the selective engagement between the adapter tool 10 anddriver 12. In FIG. 6A, the spring 26 biases the retractable cap 22, andthe engagement end of the spring 26 extends into the slot 28 and into avolume defined by the recess 38 of the driver 12.

There is no relative movement between the adapter tool 10 and the driver12, and therefore, the engagement end 30 resides in the volume definedby the recess 38.

In FIG. 6B, there is longitudinal movement between the adapter tool 10and the driver 12. This longitudinal movement can be generated by, forexample, a user removing the drill bit and/or counter sink positioned onthe distal end of the adapter tool 10 from a pilot hole. In effect, thispulls the adapter tool 10 from the driver 12. Therefore, the engagementend 30 of the spring 26 is brought into contact with a surface of thedriver 12 that defines the recess 38. The engagement end 30 is wedgedbetween the slot 28 of the body 16 and the surface of the driver 12, andthe adapter tool 10 remains locked and selectively engaged with thedriver 12. To achieve this effect, in some embodiments, more than 50% ofa cross-sectional area of the engagement end 30 is positioned in thevolume defined by the recess 38 of the driver 12. In FIG. 6B a dashedline on the engagement end 30 shows which portion of the cross-sectionalarea of the engagement end 30 is positioned in the volume defined by therecess 38. In various embodiments, between approximately 50% and 80% ofa cross-sectional area of the engagement end 30 is positioned in thevolume. In some embodiments, between 51% and 60% of a cross-sectionalarea of the engagement end 30 is positioned in the volume.

In addition, to achieve a quick and easy release of the driver 12 fromthe adapter tool 10, at least a portion of a cross-sectional area of theengagement end 30 is positioned outside of the volume defined by therecess 38 of the driver 12. To release the driver 12, in someembodiments, the retractable cap 22 moves approximately 2 mm along alongitudinal axis of the body 16. Thus, the inner surface of theretractable cap 22 pushes the engagement end 30 of the spring 26 againstthe surface of the driver 12 that defines the recess 38. In thisembodiment, the surface of the driver is radiused and thereforetransfers lateral movement of the spring 26 into movement away from therecess 38. This provides a quick and easy release of the driver 12.

In FIG. 6C, retractable cap 22 is retracted towards the bushing 24 tocompress the spring 26 and deflect the engagement end 30 out of thevolume defined by the recess 38 of the driver 12. With the engagementend 30 in this position, a user can remove the adapter tool 10 from thedriver 12.

Now referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of an adapter tool 10 and aholster 52 is provided. The holster 52 can hold a plurality of adaptertools 10. In this embodiment, the adapter tools 10 have different-sizeddrill bits positioned at distal ends of the adapter tools 10. Therefore,a user can quickly and selectively engage different adapter tools 10 anddrill bits to the same driver to drill and drive various sized, forexample, screws or bolts. The holster 52 has a receiver 58 for eachadapter tool 10 where the receiver 58 defines an aperture through whicha distal end of the adapter tool 10 passes through to secure the adaptertool 10 relative to the holster 52. The holster 52 also has a retainer60 where the retainer 60 has two arms 62 that define an inner diameterthat is substantially the same as the outer diameter 56 of the body ofthe adapter tool 10. However, the ends of the two arms 62 are separatedby a distance that is less than the outer diameter 56 of the body of theadapter tool 10. Therefore, the adapter tool 10 can deflect one or morearms 62 to snap into the inner diameter of the retainer 60 to furthersecure the adapter tool 10 to the holster 52. It will be appreciatedthat in some embodiments, the holster 52 may have only one of a receiver58 or a retainer 60. Further, in some embodiments, the holster 52 mayhave, for example, two retainers 60.

To place the adapter tool 10 in the holster 52, a user may first orientthe adapter tool 10 and the holster 52 at an angle relative to eachother. Then, the user inserts the distal end of the adapter tool 10 intothe receiver 58 of the holster 52, then the user can rotate the adaptertool 10 and the holster 52 to a parallel orientation relative to eachother. During rotation, the adapter tool 10 deflects the arms 62 of theretainer 60 and snaps into the inner diameter of the retainer 60. Thereceiver 58 and the retainer 60 secure the adapter tool 10 to theholster 52, but can also allow movement of the adapter tool 10 relativeto the holster 52 along a longitudinal axis 46 of the adapter tool 10.

The holster 52 can also comprise a cap bar 64 which can quickly releasea driver from the adapter tool 10 while the adapter tool 10 is securedin the holster 52. The cap bar 64 extends laterally from the holster 52and is positioned proximate to the retractable cap 22 of the adaptertool 10. As depicted, the retractable cap 22 of the adapter tool 10 hasan outer diameter 54 and an inner diameter 56, and the inner diameter 56is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the body of theadapter tool 10. The cap bar 64 has a recess 66 that is proximate to theretractable cap 22 of the adapter tool 10, and the recess 66 has aninner diameter 68. The inner diameter 68 of the recess 66 is greaterthan the inner diameter 56 of the retractable cap 22 but less than theouter diameter 54 of the retractable cap 22. Therefore, if the adaptertool 10 moves longitudinally toward the cap bar 64, then the cap bar 64surrounding the recess 66 will deflect the retractable cap 22longitudinally relative to the body of the adapter tool 10.

In one exemplary use of the cap bar 64, a user has the adapter tool 10equipped on a driver of a drill such that the spring in the adapter tool10 is engaged with a recess of the driver, and the retractable cap 22 isin an unretracted position. The user, as described above, can angle thedistal end of the adapter tool 10 into the receiver 58 of the holster52, and rotate the adapter tool 10 into the retainer 60 to snap theadapter tool 10 into the inner diameter of the retainer 60 and securethe adapter tool 10 to the holster 52. Then, a user can move the drilland driver upward such that the adapter tool 10 moves longitudinallytoward the cap bar 64. The cap bar 64 deflects the retractable cap 22longitudinally along the body of the adapter tool 10 such that thespring of the adapter tool 10 moves out of engagement with the recess ofthe driver. The user continues to move the drill and driver upward, andthe driver and the adapter tool release from each other, which allowsthe user to engage the driver with a screw or bolt or equip a newadapter tool.

It will be appreciated that this aspect of the holster 52 is not limitedto the embodiment described herein. For example, the geometry of the capbar 64, the retractable cap 22 and the body of the adapter tool 10 canbe described in alternative terms as the invention is not limited tocircular inner and outer diameters. Viewing the adapter tool 10 alongthe longitudinal axis, the cross section of the retractable cap 22 isdisposed about a cross section of the body. The cap bar 64 can bepositioned or shaped to obstruct only the cross section of theretractable cap 22 but not the cross section of the body. Thus, the capbar 64 can comprise an edge, surface, or one or more tabs to deflect theretractable cap 22.

The holster 52 can also be used to selectively connect an adapter tool10 with a driver. Starting with the adapter tool 10 positioned in thereceiver 58 and the retainer 60 of the holster 52 as shown in FIG. 7, auser can press a driver into the interior volume of the adapter 10. Adistal end of the driver deflects a spring against a slot to move thespring away from the longitudinal axis 46 of the body 10. The drivercontinues to extend into the interior volume until a recess of thedriver is positioned proximate to the spring, which allows the spring toextend back down the slot and toward the longitudinal axis 46. When atleast a portion of the spring is positioned in a volume defined by therecess of the driver, then the driver is selectively connected to theadapter tool 10. Next, a user can rotate the combined driver and adaptertool 10 out of the retainer 60 and then pull the combined driver andadapter tool 10 out of the receiver 58 to begin using the tool on thedistal end of the adapter tool 10, such as a drill bit. Additionaldepictions of the holster 52 can be found in an Appendix, which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimiting of the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theembodiments described and shown in the figures were chosen and describedin order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practicalapplication, and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand the invention.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of thoseembodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, referencesmade herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should beunderstood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention andshould not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to aparticular description. It is to be expressly understood that suchmodifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention, as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter tool for selectively engaging andreleasing a second tool, comprising: a body having a first end, anopposing second end, a longitudinal axis, and an inner surface thatdefines an interior volume configured to receive a second tool; a slotthat extends from a first point at an outer surface of said body to asecond point at said inner surface, wherein a distance from said firstpoint to said first end is larger than a distance from said second pointto said first end; a spring positioned about said outer surface of saidbody, said spring having an engagement end configured to be positionedat least partially within said slot; and a retractable cap positionedabout said outer surface proximate to said first end of said body andtranslatable along said longitudinal axis of said body between a firstposition and a second position, wherein, in said first position, saidengagement end of said spring extends at least partially into saidinterior volume to engage said second tool, and wherein, in said secondposition, said retractable cap deflects said engagement end of saidspring in said slot to move said engagement end away from said interiorvolume and to disengage said second tool.
 2. The adapter tool of claim1, wherein at least half of a cross-sectional area of said engagementend of said spring is configured to be positioned in a recess volume ofsaid second tool when said retractable cap is in said first position. 3.The adapter tool of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of saidcross-sectional area of said engagement end of said spring is configuredto be positioned outside of said recess volume of said second tool whensaid retractable cap is in said first position.
 4. The adapter tool ofclaim 1, wherein, in said second position, said retractable cap deflectssaid engagement end of said spring into a portion of said second toolthat defines said recess volume to move said engagement end away fromsaid interior volume and to disengage said second tool.
 5. The adaptertool of claim 1, wherein said retractable cap has an inner surface thatdefines an inner cavity, and said spring is at least partiallypositioned in said inner cavity such that said engagement end of saidspring contacts a portion of said inner surface of said retractable cap.6. The adapter tool of claim 5, further comprising a bushing positionedabout said outer surface of said body, wherein said inner surface ofsaid retractable cap is at least partially positioned about an outersurface of said bushing.
 7. The adapter tool of claim 1, wherein saidslot forms an angle with said longitudinal axis to translatelongitudinal movement of said retractable cap to lateral movement ofsaid engagement end of said spring, and said angle is betweenapproximately 25 and 35 degrees.
 8. A combined drill and driver system,comprising: an adapter tool having: a body having a longitudinal axisand an aperture forming an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis,wherein said angled aperture extends from an outer surface to an innersurface of said body, and said inner surface defines a partiallyenclosed volume; a retractable cap disposed around said outer surface ofsaid body and having an inner surface defining an inner cavity; a springdisposed around said outer surface of said body and at least partiallypositioned in said inner cavity, said spring having an engagement end atleast partially positioned in said angled aperture of said body; asecond tool removably interconnected and positioned in said partiallyenclosed volume, a second tool including a recess on a forward end,wherein said retractable cap is configured to move said engagement endof said spring into said recess of said second tool to retain saidsecond tool to said adapter tool until said retractable cap is moveddownward and away from said second tool to release said second tool fromsaid adapter tool.
 9. The combined drill and driver system of claim 8,wherein said angle of said aperture is between approximately 25 and 35degrees.
 10. The combined drill and driver system of claim 8, whereinsaid recess of said second tool has a radiused cross-sectional shape.11. The combined drill and driver system of claim 8, wherein saidretractable cap has a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter,wherein said first inner diameter is substantially the same as an outerdiameter of a bushing of said adapter tool and said second innerdiameter is smaller than said first inner diameter to limit longitudinaltravel of said retractable cap relative to said bushing.
 12. Thecombined drill and driver system of claim 8, wherein in said firstdistance from said longitudinal axis, at least half a cross-sectionalarea of said engagement end of said spring is positioned within saidrecess volume of said second tool.
 13. The combined drill and driversystem of claim 12, wherein in said first distance from saidlongitudinal axis, at least a portion of said cross-sectional area ofsaid engagement end of said spring is positioned outside of said recessvolume of said second tool.
 14. A holster adapted for selectivelyholding and releasing a tool, comprising: a substantially planar bodyhaving an upper end, a lower end, and two sidewalls extendingtherebetween, said body having a front surface and a rear surface; a capbar positioned proximate to said upper end and extending outwardly fromsaid front surface of said body, said cap bar having an engagementsurface; a pocket positioned below said cap bar, said pocket having areceiver adapted to receive a lower end of a tool; and a U-shapedretainer positioned between said cap bar and said receiver of saidpocket, said U-shaped retainer adapted to secure a mid-portion of saidtool, wherein said pocket and said U-shaped retainer are configured toremovably secure an upper portion of said tool proximate to saidengagement surface of said cap bar.
 15. The holster of claim 14, whereinsaid cap bar has at least one recess that has an inner diameter, whereinsaid inner diameter of said recess is larger than an outer diameter of abody of said tool and smaller than an outer diameter of a retractablecap of said tool.
 16. The holster of claim 14, further comprising atleast one arm extending from said rear surface and substantiallyparallel to said body, wherein said at least one arm is configured toselectively interconnect to a belt.
 17. The holster of claim 14, whereinsaid pocket is configured to receive a drill bit of said tool.
 18. Theholster of claim 14, wherein said U-shaped retainer has two arms thatdefine an inner diameter that is substantially the same as an outerdiameter of a body of a tool.
 19. The holster of claim 18, wherein adistance between two ends of said arms is less than an outer diameter ofsaid body of said tool such that said body is configured to deflect atleast one of said arms to be positioned in said inner diameter definedby said two arms.
 20. The holster of claim 14, further comprising asecond pocket and a second U-shaped retainer, wherein a distance betweensaid second pocket and said second U-shaped retainer is larger than adistance between said pocket and said U-shaped retainer.